Chapter 75 ~Coach's secret~
(Xander's POV)
I stared at Matt, not knowing what to expect him to say next.
I steadied myself for whatever secret this was. “Okay. What's the reason?”
He took me to an empty classroom beside the locker room.
He glanced over his shoulder to make sure we were alone.
“I always wondered why Coach removed you from the team, knowing you're the best player on the team.” He started. “My question was answered a couple of days back.”
I sank into one of the chairs there. I was listening with rapt attention.
He continued, taking a seat beside me. “You know how Coach makes us regulate our drinking and quit hard drugs, smoke and gambling. He told us to not get involved with the street boys.”
I nodded. I remembered it like yesterday. The first day I joined the Northvale Hockey team, he gave me a long list of rules and regulations. A set of codes of conduct I was supposed to follow
I later found out that everyone in the team was given the same rules.
“Yeah, he did.”
“And you know me, like… I'm from the streets. I'm not any nepo baby. I actually have to fend for myself and pay for school and other stuff.” He chuckled awkwardly. “I still gamble and push molly on the side.”
“What does this have to do with the coach pulling me out of the team?” I was getting a little irritated and anxious at the same time.
“I'm heading somewhere.” He tapped my shoulder. “Last weekend, I was in the hood. And I saw a figure being beaten bloody.And in the streets, you don’t get beaten like that unless you’ve done something bad.”
He shook his head like he was reliving a terrible experience. “I looked closer and almost disbelieved it when I saw it was Coach Bruce being beaten. My first thought was to jump in and save him, but… you know, I wouldn't be able to explain what I'm doing in the area if I'm asked.And I wasn’t ready to throw away my hockey dreams.”
I shook my head, confused. “Why was Coach being beaten?”
“I asked around, and some guys told me he made some massive loss while gambling. And Draco—the street lord—doesn’t play about his money. Word on the street is he owes him fifty thousand.” Matt shuddered. “He was planning to have Coach's head served up.”
“That sounds terrible, but… what does this have to do with me?”
“Oh, it has everything to do with you.” Matt assured me. “I began following up on the whole case. I was so surprised when two weeks ago, I heard Coach had cleared the whole fifty.Northvale isn’t paying any coach fifty grand..”
“So, how did he get the money?” I asked. It was indeed odd for a salary earner to have that kind of money.
“I was curious as well. So, one day, I followed Coach home from the bar without him knowing. I spotted this Red huge ass Lambo that dropped by his house.”
“A Lamborghini?”
“I looked closer. It was Senator Griffin.”
“Damon Griffin's dad.” My new replacement as captain. “Maybe he wanted to find out how Damon is doing in school?”
“Plausible… but not when he handed him a briefcase full of money… like some action movie type shit.” he handed over his phone to me.
I looked at the device and on the screen was a photo of Coach opening a briefcase stuffed with cash.
I stared at Matt.
“Don't you get it? Coach is being bribed.” He stared back at me. “Damon Griffin's father bribed Coach to make sure he makes his son a hockey star.”
“What?”
“Heck, he's probably also using Coach's gambling as leverage.”
I shot up from my chair. This was deep. Very deep. “So that was why he was so mad about the NHL scouts.”
Matt nodded. “Yeah, he probably promised Mr Griffin that he'd get the NHL to sign Griffin.”
I was shell-shocked… but worse, I felt betrayed. It felt like my whole life was a lie.
We sat in silence for a while, trying to absorb the weight of what he'd just shared.
He placed his hands on my shoulder. “What are you going to do now, Grayson?”
I shrugged tiredly. “Nothing.”
I was tired of trying to change fate. So much was happening in my life… For once, I decided to stop fighting the current.
“Nothing?” Matt looked surprised at first, then nodded in understanding. “You know what? That's the best thing to do. Let Karma cook.”
I closed my eyes, trying to still the rapid beating of my heart in my chest.
I walked towards the hospital. My legs were heavy, but my heart was heavier.
If everything Matt said was true, then maybe wolf academy was not such a bad idea. New beginnings, right?
Everything was happening at once. I just wanted the world to pause, and give me a moment to breathe.
But a new beginning without Fiona would be empty.
I just hoped there were options. I'd do anything… I'd twist the course of nature if I had to, to make sure she's by my side. Always.
An idea struck me. I should probably go see the shaman later today at Silvereign. Maybe he could help me make sense of the hand I’d been dealt.
And Fiona. There had to be a remedy for her situation. And if it meant going to the ends of the world, I would.
I’d share my wolf with her. If that’s what it took.
Speaking of which, Theon had been real quiet since Fiona became wolfless. It reminded me of the days before I bumped into her at the hockey rink. I hoped he wasn't going weak again. Or dying.
I took a turn at the hospital and was so surprised to see a figure I knew all too well.
Long legs, a silk white dress and a fringe haircut.
It was Dakota.
But beside her was a little boy, roughly six years old. She held onto his hands as he dragged her towards the Paediatric unit.
“Mommy, let's go!” The child pouted.
I froze on the spot.
Mommy?
Had Dakota adopted a child?
I walked briskly towards their direction, hoping to reach her before she disappeared into the ward.
“Mr Grayson?”
Someone called my name from behind. I turned instantly. I was met by one of the doctors looking after Fiona.
What was his name… Fred?
“Dr. Fred.” I called in greeting.
“Frank.” He answered abruptly.
Anxiety was etched across his face.
I found myself being worried too. “Is something wrong?” I asked.
“Yes… Well, I don't know.” He stuttered. We’ve received Miss Hepburn’s test results… I think there's something you need to know.”
“Okay?”
“She's pregnant.”